Malaysia

There is nothing like being away from home for a while to make one truly appreciate the place called home. I went back to Malaysia recently for a holiday, and having a visitor with me, I was compelled to act as a tourist guide, and in turn, became a tourist myself. So armed with a copy of "The Lonely Planet", I embarked on a road trip along the west coast of Pensinsula Malaysia, stopping by at Cameron Highlands, Penang and Langkawi. It was a real feast of the senses, having lived in the barren deserts of Dubai for a while, it was heaven to be amidst tropical rain forests millions of years old, to feel rain on my face, and to breathe in the salty air at the beach, incense sticks from the temples, hear the call of prayer from the mosques, and eat the massive varieties of food prepared in Malay, Indian and Chinese kitchens.

These are the sights, smells and sounds that I had always taken for granted while growing up, to experience them afresh was a real delight for me.

It took a half hour drive on a dirt road through the jungle in Cameron Highlands to go to this Orang Asli village. Orang Asli literally means native people, and are the aboriginal people of Malaysia. There are 18 tribes, this one was taken during a visit to the Semai tribe.

This is the view of Cameron Highlands, one of the traditional hill stations of Malaysia.

The hills, as far as the eye can see, are covered by dense jungles, which have mostly been untouched since the dawn of time, literally before even the ice age.

Looking at it again, while living here in Dubai where all trees are carefully tended to and are a novelty because of the scarcity of water, this scene appeared like paradise to me, even though I had grown up with this scenery all my life. Strange how perspective can change.

Taken in a moss forest in Cameron Highlands, the death of this tree continues the circle of life.

This was taken during a guided hiking trail close to Mount Brinchang, the ground you see is not earth, but compost. This forest itself is about 250 million years old, much older than the rainforest of Taman Negara which is said to be 140 million years old. Because of the altitude, vegetation is this forest is not as dense, and coupled with a cool climate, hiking along the trail was a very pleasant experience.

Taken at the Khoo Kongsi, one of the Chinese clan houses in Penang. The original design was apparently so elaborate that the roof was mysteriously burnt down on the day it was opened. This place is tucked away in the middle of Penang's Chinatown.

Your gallery is a delight to view, wonderful and full of excellent photography!
You demonstrate that very special talent for turning the seemingly ordinary into extraordinary images, beautiful and very inspiring
Thanks for sharing  V²  !
Greetings from Belgium
Chiepe